Made in Japan Media Available in the US

[OneSickPup]

I rarely purchase media online anymore. I normally purchase from locals like BestBuy, Staples, Office Depot, etc. In the quantities that I consume this has just worked best for me. I don't really use all that many blanks anyway. On the otherhand though, my wife teaches 2 video production classes at her high school and goes through quite a quantity of media. She relies on me to purchase media and then gets reimbursed by the school system. I have seen comments floating around various sources on the internet that imply companies (like Fuji) are beginning to limit distribution of MIJ media in North America. Is there any merit to this rumor? I am beginning to see much less MIJ media on the shelves at my local BestBuy. This may be pure coincidence. Just curious if any industry followers had any input on this. Thanks

[smearbrick1]

Even if this rumor were true, which I have have no clue, you may want to check out the deals online for your Japanese media. You can't believe the amount of money you can save just by not buying from a retail chain (this excludes those rare sales on Japanese Maxells and Fuji at your local Best Buy/Staples/Officemax).

[OneSickPup]

I always used the 40 cents per disc rule when purchasing. That threshold was frequently met by the BestBuy Fuji's for $19.99 per 50 spindle sales that usually were offered every few weeks. I realize sales tax increased this slightly, but I had the luxury of examining upc codes, etc before purchase. The only way I was guaranteed MIJ media online (Rima- Supermediastore - etc) was to purchase genuine TY media(with some exceptions). After paying shipping, the savings just didn't seem to be worth it! Of course, that's my logic and my opinion only.

I guess my main question is basically - "Is mij media declining in availability or is this just a localized phenomenon in my area?"

[Bodysurf]

I guess my main question is basically - "Is mij media declining in availability or is this just a localized phenomenon in my area?"

I think the ratio of MIJ to MIT/elsewhere media has been decreasing, and continues to decrease. I mean, anecdotal reports by others state than locating MIJ media at B&M stores is more work now than it was a year ago.

I think it is harder to find MIJ media at B&M US stores, the reason being two-fold: (1) MIJ is more expensive generally and (2) the above mentioned ratio.

Bottom Line is: I think (and hope) one will always be able to find MIJ media if they look hard enough (especially online), but one will have to look harder. Let's just hope MIJ media continues to stay at HQ.

Also, remember, some readily available MIT media (MKM/MCC Verbatim) is HQ.

[lenti_75]

you don't find cheaper media online than in store when sales like $20/50 discs is available. besides, you have the option to return it or just look at it if you buy it in store.

as you said, if you go lower than 40c/disc for HQ, that is crap CMC or other, for now, maybe in the future the price will be lower, but I doubt.

it is declining, soon we'll find shitty Memorex or some BS name with CMC code only. at least Verbatim is still there, and is a very good media, and in the end, we can buy online, if no good shit is available in store.

[lordsmurf]

Rumor, nothing more.

[OneSickPup]

Rumor, nothing more.

That is what I had hoped to hear. I think 3 factors are probably contributing to what I perceive as declining MIJ media availability:

1. A better educated consumer on what to look for in media.

2. Growing numbers and popularity of DVD recorders.

3. Huge numbers of new PCs manufactured with DVD burners.

Bottomline: Tons more dvd media being used/consumed. And then there's always that "we ain't shipping any good media to those Kentucky hicks to consider!!!"

Thanks All...

[ungamunga]

Well, this is anecdotal evidence only, but I have had a hell of a time finding any MIJ disks in stores of late (or any of the better MIT disk IDs). Lots of Memorex, Dynex, and similar crap.

I've taken to ording MIJ disk (TY) online. In bulk they aren't too expensive (despite shipping).

[lordsmurf]

Rumor, nothing more.

That is what I had hoped to hear. I think 3 factors are probably contributing to what I perceive as declining MIJ media availability:

1. A better educated consumer on what to look for in media.

2. Growing numbers and popularity of DVD recorders.

3. Huge numbers of new PCs manufactured with DVD burners.

Bottomline: Tons more dvd media being used/consumed. And then there's always that "we ain't shipping any good media to those Kentucky hicks to consider!!!"

Thanks All...

Try

4. More non-Japan media to flood the shelves, though the Japan output is increased too.

5. Bad luck at the store, yours is not carrying Japan stock at the moment, or is already picked over.

6. Your store only carries media not made in Japan.

[gadgetguy]

In general, retail stores purchasing departments rarely make decisions based on the quality of the media. They look for the media that they can purchase in huge quantities that will give them the best advertised price they can provide to their customers with the right mark-up for their profit margin. As long as the cheap stuff moves off the shelves, there is nothing to indicate to the purchasing agent that they aren't buying the right stuff. Since any given brand can come from different sources, the purchasing agent may not realize that their MIJ product is moving very quickly, and the non-MIJ stuff isn't. On line stores tend to be run by, shall we say more technically inclined/knowledgable people, that have an interest in obtaining the right quality media that their more technically inclined/knowledgable customers demand.
Note that this is my opinion based solely on my own observation and experience.

[catfreak]

I have found that when buying the Sony or Fuji discs at Best Buy that you need to look through the packages because quite often the MIJ and MIT packages are mixed together ... Even at Office Depot or WalMart (where I get Maxell) it pays to look through the stacks if you want the MIJ - although the MIT Maxell discs are usually RICOHJPN which my Ricok burner adores ...

[dvdwatch]

Why more and more Name brands DVD media is MIT?
The answer is cheaper !
Due to DVD media market keep increasing and everyone wants to rule the market,increase market share, so they need to do more promotion.
You can find Verbatim $0.25 each AR,Fuji need to compete with Verbatim... so does Memorex and TDK.....
Price of each MIT DVD media is $0.10 cheaper than MIJ (Taiyo Yuden), for promotional puropse, who is going to use MIJ DVD media to do promotion in Chain stores?
For my experience, MIJ quality is better than MIT since they have better QC system. You pay for what you get !